"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess

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During 1919, after the defeat of Turkey, a unique opportunity was opened up for CEW Bean to question the members of the Turkish General Staff about the Gallipoli Campaign. Bean presented a list of 111 questions. In June 1919, he received the answers. In the following transcription, the answers given by the Turkish General Staff will be qualified by the questions asked by Bean.

Questions 9 - 10

9. On April 25th what were the forces against the British at Cape Helles?

10. Where, and in what numbers, were their reserves?

Two regiments of the 9th Infantry Division formed the Garrison at Helles. Their line extended from Gaba Tepe to Monto.

Questions 18, 20, and 21.

18. What reserves were sent to CAPE HELLES and what was the strength of these reserves?

20. What was the Turkish artillery at ARI BURNU on April 25th? How many land guns and ships guns were used, respectively?

21. How many guns were put in afterwards at ARI BURNU?

Reserves were at first sent to Helles from the 7th Division which was at Gallipoli. Afterwards the battalions from the 11th and 3rd Divisions from the Asiatic side. Our guns on the 25th April were the field and the Mountain guns forming the divisional Artillery. Divisions as they reinforced brought their divisional Artillery into the line. There were no other artillery reinforcements.

Questions 28 & 32.

28. When did they realise that the British attack at Helles had been checked?

32. What was their estimate of the result of our attack which took place during the 6th, 7th, and 8th May?

The Turkish General Staff considered that the British attack at Helles was broken by the middle of June, but even after this date there were other attacks in this front.

At first attacks were made every four or five days, later every fortnight. It was considered that the object of these attacks was to break through on the Krithia Side. The last real attack was made 23 days after the June attack.

Question 33

33. What troops were holding the Turkish front during this attack?

The troops used in defence were:

1st & 2nd Battalion, 29th Regiment.

2nd Battalion, 56th Regiment.

2nd Battalion, 19th Regiment.

1st & 4th Battalion, 26th Regiment.

2nd Corps, 15th Regiment.

Question 34.

34. How effective was the attack towards KRITHIA on May 8th?

The advance against Krithia on May 8th was checked by the fire of the front line troops.

Question 35

35. What regiments were there in front of KRITHIA and what batteries opened on the troops advancing to that attack?

Opposite Krithia there were the:

2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment.

1st Battalion, 20th Regiment.

2nd Battalion, 56th Regiment.

According to the disposition of the Turkish Troops at Care Helles on May 9th, 1915, there were 7 Q.F. Field Batteries - 1 12 centimetres Howitzer Battery of six guns, but it is not known how many batteries actually took part in the fighting.

Question 36.

36. Why was there no counter attack?

There was no counter attack as the casualties had been heavy and there was insufficient strength to make one.

Question 68.

66. What numbers of Turkish troops were at HELLES at this date (August 6th.) and how many at SUVLA (Turkish ANAFARTA)? Total?

On August 6th there were:

4 Infantry Battalions and 11 guns at Suvla.

At Cape Helles there were

1st Division 9 Battalions 8 machine guns.

4th Division 12 Battalions 8 machine guns.

8th Division 9 Battalions 6 machine guns.

10th Division 9 Battalions 8 machine guns.

11th Division 9 Battalions 3 machine guns.

13th Division 12 Battalions 4 machine guns.

14th Division 12 Battalions 8 machine guns.

The Artillery consisted of 163 guns and howitzers of various calibres.

Question 80.

80. What was the strength of the Turkish force at ANZAC, SUVLA (ANAFARTA) and HELLES, respectively on August 10th?

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